Can Police Search My Vehicle Without a Warrant?

It is a common misconception that Police require a warrant before searching your vehicle – this is incorrect.

Queensland Police simply need to ‘reasonably suspect’ that the vehicle is being used to do something unlawful or is being used unlawfully.

If Police pull you over, they might give a number of reasons for ‘reasonably suspecting’ you are doing something unlawful. In this situation the best thing for you to do is simply ask why you are being pulled over, make it clear that you do not consent to the search and let them perform their search – there is no point saying: “where is your warrant?”

A Court may later rule the Police search unlawful and any evidence obtained during the search may be deemed inadmissible.